Hydraulic hook for hoists



Dec. 2, 1952 E. C. RAY

HYDRAULIC Hoox FOR HoIsTs 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed Feb. 8, 1949 2 .u W w W 2,, ww 53 W z INVENTOR.

ATTD R N EYS Dec. 2, 1952 E. c. RAY

HYDRAULIC HOOK FOR HOISTS 2 sHEETS--SHEET 2 Filed Feb. 8, 1949 ATTD R N EYS Patented Dec. 2, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HYDRAULIC HOOK FOR HOISTS Elmer Clyde Ray, Marmet, W. Va.

Application February 8, 1949, Serial No. 75,171

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a hoist, and more particularly to a fluid actuated hook for a hoist.

The object of the invention is to provide a grab-hook for a hoist wherein the hook is actuated by hydraulic fluid pressure in order to accurately adjust the position of the hoolr.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hydraulic hook for hoists whereby the hook can be adjusted accurately and smoothly from the ground so that there will be no jerking of the article being handled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hydraulic hook which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same Figure 1 is a central Vertical longitudinal sectional view of the hydraulic hook, according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the hook;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the hook;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the hydraulic hook;

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the hook attached to a chain of a hoist and illustra-ting a modified arrangement for actuating the hook;

Figure 6 is a Vertical central sectional view of the ground pumping unit for use in actuating the hydraulic hook; and

Figure 7 is a sectional view illustrating a modified hydraulic hook for use with the pump of Figure 6.

Referring in detail to F'igures 1 to 4 of the 'drawings, the numeral 20 designates a housing having a ring 2! formed integral with, or secured 'to the top thereof, whereby the housing may be 'readily attached to a link of a chain 22 that is connected to a hoist or crane (not shown). The housing 20, Figure 1, is hollow, and has its lower end 23 provided with a central threaded aperture '24. A cylinder 25 fabricated of suitable material is arranged longitudinally in the housing 20, the vcylinder 25 being provided with a threaded ex- 'terior portion 26 for engagement with the threaded aperture 24 so that the cylinder remains immobile in the housing.

The cylinder 25 coacts with the housing 20 to define an annular reservoir 21 for holding hydraulic fluid. A tapered opening 28 is arranged in the wall of the cylinder 25 for the egress there- 'i through of hydraulic fiuid into the reservoir 21. For controlling the rate of discharge of fiuid from the cylinder 25 through the opening 28 into the reservoir 21, a release valve 29 is threaded into the housing 20, there being a knurled head 30 on one end of the valve 29 for rotating the latter. The other end of the valve 29 is shaped to define a tapered end for movement into and out of bridging relation with respect to the opening 21. For filling the reservoir as described, a passageway 3| communicates with the reservoir 21, there being a plug 32 for normally closing the passageway 3|. The upper end of the housing 20 also includes an inclined recess 33 which serves as an air vent as the piston 35 is moved in the cylinder 25.

The piston 35 includes an exteriorly threaded body member 36 and a plurality of leather cups 31 arranged in spaced relation on the body meinber 36. Interposed between each pair of cups 31 is a metal spacer element or nut 38 which is threaded on the body member 36. A lock nut 33 is threaded onto the top of the body member 35 to maintain the piston in assembled relation. EX- tending upwardly into the body member 35 is an interorly threaded socket 40 for receiving therein the threaded shank 4| of a hook member 42. A castle nut 43 prevents the hook member 42 from accidently working from the piston 35. The shank 4| slidably projects through an opening 44 which is arranged in the lower end portion 45 of the cylinder 25. A fluid-tight connection is provided around the shank 4| by means of suitable packing 46 which is held in place by a packing gland 41. The lower end 45 of the cylinder 25 is provided with a plurality of spaced recesses 48 for receiving a suitable tool whereby the cylinder 25 may be readily screwed into the housing 20. A castle nut 49 vis arranged in engag-ement with the lower projecting portion of the cylinder 25 for maintaning the latter in the housing 20. The housing 20 is also provided with a normally closed tap 50 for a purpose to be later described.

Formed integral with the housing 20 is a casing 5! provided with a vertically extending bore 52. A plunger 53 is slidably arranged in the bore 52 and a rod 54 has one end secured to the plunger 53. The rod 54 slidably projects through an apertured closure member 55 and the upper end is pivotally connected to a bar 56 intermediate its ends. The bar 56 has one end pivotally connected by means of a pin 51 to a pair of spaced ears 58 which project from the housing 25 and 3 the other end of the bar 55 is pivotally connected to an actuating lever 59.

A first passageway 60 is 'arranged in the casing 5| and connects the reservoir 21 to the bore '52 for conveying hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 21 to the bore 22 as the plunger 53 is recipr'ocated. A valve means permits fluid to fiow from the reservoir 21 through the passageway 6|] but prevents fiuid from flowing in the vopp'osite direotion. This Val've means comprises a tubular bushing 6| which provides a seat for the ball '62 and the spring 63 normally urges the ball 62 into bridgin'g relation with respect to the bushing 61|. A second passagew-ay 64 is arranged in the 'casing 5| and this passageway registers with a passageway' 55 in the lower end 45 of the cylinder 25 whereby hydraulic fluid fwill be conveyed from the bore 52 to the cylinder 25. A Valve 58 permits -fiuid -to ii'ow from the bore 52 to the cylinder 25 but -prevents flow in the 'oppo-site direction.

In using the 'hydraulic hoist of Fi'gures 1 to 4, the actuating lever 59 is moved to thereby cause the plunger 53 to move up and down in the bore 52 whereby fluid will be drawn from the reservoir 21 and forced into the cylinder 25. This Will cause the piston 35 to rise and t'hus the hook member 42 can be accurately adjusted as desired. The hook member Q2 'can be locked in a 'desired position by moving the release valve to the-reby 'close the opening 28. To lower book member 42, the release valve is moved away from vthe opening 28, and the fluid will flow from the 'cylinder 25 back to the reservoir 21.

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a slightly modified mechanism for :actuating the hool: member 52. Thus, 'a -calble or hose 51 'has one end connected to the tap 50 whereby fluid can =be conveyed directly to and from the cylinder 25. The other end of the 'hose 61 leads to a hydraulic pump assembly 63 which is preferably positioned on the ground. This pump assembly is shown also in Figure 6 and comprises a base 69, 'a verti'cally vdisposed cylinder 10 supported on the base `69, there being a piston 1| slid'ably arranged in the 'cylinder 10. A rod 12 slidably projects through an apertured closure member 13 and has 'one end pivotally connected by a pin 14 to an actuating handle 15. The handle 15 is pivotally connected 'as at 16 to the top of a reservo-ir 11 for holding hydraulic fluid therein. A passageway 18 connects the reservoir 11 to the vcylinder 10 and 'a valve 19 permits fluid to flow from the reservoir 11 to the cylinder 10 but prevents fio-w in the reverse 'directon. A pa'ssageway 85 is arranged in the base 69 'and one end thereof communicates with the bottom of the 'cylinder 10 and;

its other end 'communicates 'with a bushing 8| which leads to the hose 51. A valve 82 permits fluid to flow out from the cylinder 10 through the passageway '80 only in the -direction of the arrows. Communicating with the passageway 80 is 'a channel 83 which leadsto a chamber 8'4 that is connected by a passageway 185 to the reservoir 11. A release valve 85 supported yby a closure plug 81 regulates the amount vof fluid fiowing through the passageway 85.

In using the hoi'st hook with the ground pump of Figures 5 and 6, the handle 15 is m'oved to recip-rocate the piston 1| whereby fluid will be drawn from the reservoir 11 andforced through the passageway 8B and into the hose 61 and into the cylinder 25 to raise the hook member without jerking and with great accuracy. The ground pump may be used by itself to actuate the hook or it may be used in 'conjunction with the lever 59 to control the movement of the hook member 42.

In Figure '1, there is shown a modified hydraulic book 88 which is actuated by the ground pump 58, there being a hose 9| leading from the pump to the hook 88. The h'ook 88 includes a cylinder 92 having a piston 89 slida'bly arranged therein and secured to the piston 89 is a shank 90 which terminates in a depending hook member (not shown). For lowering the hook member, when the pump of Figures 5 to .7 is being used, the release valve '86 is moved out of bridging engagement with the passageway Whereby fiuid will return to the reservoir 11, as shown in Figure 7.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit 'and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended cl'aims.

l. In combination, a housing, a ring secured to the top of said housing and adapted to be connected to a chain, the lower end of said housing being provided with a central threaded aperture, a cylinder arranged longltudinally in 'said housing and provided With a vthreaded exterior portion engaging said aperture, a reservoir for hy- 'draulic fluid arranged in surrounding relation with respect to said cylinder, valve means for controlling the iiow of fiuid from said cylinder to said reservoir, said valve means -comprising a release valve arranged in threaded engagement with said housing and mounted for movement into and out of closing relation with respect to a tapered opening in said cylinder, there being a passageway communicating with said reservoir, a plug for normally closing said passageway, there being an inclined recess in the upper end of said housing providing an lair vent, a piston slidably arranged in said cylinder, said piston including an exteriorly threaded body member, a plurality 'of leather -cups arranged in spaced relation on said body member, there being an interi'orly threaded socket extending upwardly from the body member, -a hook member having a threaded shank engaging the socket in said piston and pro'jecting out of said cylinder for engagement with a work piece, means for conveying hydraulic fiuid under pressure from said reservoir to said cylinde1` to raise said hook member, said means comprising a -casing formed integrally with said housing, said -casing having `a bore extending therethrough for a portion of its length, a plun-ger slid'ably arranged in said bore, a rod secured to said plunger and zprojectin-g out of said bore, a bar having one end pivotally connected to said ho-using and pivotally 'connected to said rod, an actuating lever pivotally connected to the other 'en'd of said bar for causing movement of said plunger in said bore, and means for connecting said bore to said reservoir and to lsaid cylinder.

2. In combination, a housing, a ring secured to the top of said housing and adapted to be connected to a chain, the lower end of said housing being provided with a central threaded aperture, a cylinder arranged longitudinally in said housing and provided with a threaded exterior portion engaging said aperture, a reservoir for hydraulic fluid arranged in surrounding relation with respect to said cylinder, valve means for controlling the fiow of fluid from said cylinder to said reservoir, said valve means comprising a release valve arranged in threaded engagement with said housing and mounted for movement into and out of clOSing relation with respect to a tapered opening in said cylinder, there being a passageway communicating with said reservoir, a plug for normally closing said p'assageway, there being an inclined recess in the upper end of said housing providing an air vent, a piston slidably arranged in said cylinder, said piston including an exteriorly threaded body member, a plurality of leather cups arranged in spaced relation on said body member, there being an interiorly threaded socket extending upwardly from the body member, a hook member having a threaded shank engaging the socket in said piston and projecting out of said cylinder for engagement with a Work piece, means for conveying hydraulic fluid under pressure from said reservoir to said cylinder to raise said hook member, said means comprising a casing formed integrally With said housing, said casing having a bore extending therethrough for a portion of its length, a plunger slidably arranged in said bore, a rod secured to said plunger and projecting out of said bore, a bar having one end pivotally connected to said housing and pivotally connected to said rod, an actuating lever pivotally connected to the other end of said bar for causing movement of said plunger in said bore, and means for connecting said bore to said reservoir and to said cylinder, said lastnamed means comprising a pair of passageways, and a check valve interposed in each of said passageways.

3. In a hydraulically operated hook, a housing, a ring secured to the top of said housing and adapted to be connected to a chain, the lower end of said housing being provided With a central threaded aperture, a cylinder arranged longitudinally in said housing and provided with a threaded exterior portion engaging said aperture, a reservoir for hydraulic fluid arranged in surrounding relation with respect to said cylinder, Valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from said cylinder to said reservoir, said valve means comprising a release valve arranged in threaded engagement With said housing and mounted for movement into and out of closing relation With respect to a tapered opening in said cylinder, there being a passageway communicating with said reservoir, a plug for normally closing said passageway, there being an inclined recess in the upper end of said housing providing an air Vent, a piston slidably arranged in said cylinder, said piston including an exteriorly threaded body member, a plurality of leather cups arranged in spaced relation on said body member, there being an interiorly threaded socket extending upwardly from the body member, a hook member having a threaded shank engaging the socket in said piston and projecting out of said cylinder for engagement With a work piece, and means for conveying hydraulic fluid under pressure from said reservoir to said cylinder to raise said hook member.

ELMER CLYDE RAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 16,801 Lindsay Mar. 10, 1857 580,154 Bullock Apr. 6, 1897 679,421 I-Ialsey July 30, 1901 914,162 Nelson Mar. 2, 1909 1,2414,317 Gaffney Oct. 23, 1917 2,085,111 McConnell June 29, 1937 2,215,431 Sloan et al Sept. 17, 1940 

